Friday, 29 February 2008

Just now, I received the news I’d been dreading.Aunt Brenda passed away on Wednesday evening peacefully in her sleep.My family and I are in very deep shock at the moment.I don’t really know what to say.

She was a very independent woman.It seems strange talking and typing about in the past tense!She was very house proud and she loved to spend time tending to her garden.Her most favourite pastimes were baking cakes and flower arranging.

The last time I saw her was Friday at the hospice.She was laughing and joking like she did not have a care in the world.This is the way she’d want to be remembered, and I intend to.

I’m happy that she is not suffering anymore. I just didn’t expect it to be over so soon.Rest in peace Aunty Bren, you shall be sorely missed.

I woke up this morning with great curiosity.A person born today may be called a “leapling”, as it is now a leap year.A leap year only occurs every four years.So this means their birthday can only be celebrated properly every four years.If it is not a leap year, when do they celebrate their birthday?

On Wednesday, I was so happy to read that Bruce Forsyth is to be awarded a Knighthood from the Queen in June.The veteran entertainer has just celebrated his 80th birthday and has been on our T.V screens half a century.Finally, he gets some recognition – Congratulations Brucie!

Now, we have figured out what is wrong with my laptop.I’m going to have to buy another charger for it, as it is flat.I guess it’s going to be expensive!Where can I get one from, also?

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Where do I start?Ah yes, last Thursday, as a member of the Rhondda Youth Forum, we visited the new Welsh Assembly Building in Cardiff.It is called “the Senedd” and it’s where the Welsh Assembly Government makes all-important political decisions.

I was quite excited as I had never been there before.The building is made entirely out of natural resources, so it is eco-friendly.I was surprised to find the place had no lights, and relied entirely on natural sunlight for brightness.

We were asked if we would like to sit in to observe a Committee meeting.We all were very keen to see what goes on.I thought it was very long, but very interesting to know what policies are going to be implemented in the future.Some people said I looked like the nodding dog from the “Churchill car insurance” commercials because I agreed with most things they said.

I was given the opportunity to talk with the new Children’s Commissioner for Wales.I took my digital camera hoping to take some photographs.But unfortunately we were not allowed.I’ve no idea why but, I've found a link online. So, sit back and take a tour of this magnificent building.

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Aunty Brenda has now moved into a hospice to live out her final days. I would like to thank all of you for the comments in the previous posting and in Guido’s support journal also. Your kind words and prayers have brought great comfort to me and my family during this sad time.

Monday, 18 February 2008

Last November, she was diagnosed with Cancer and is currently undergoing a course of radiotherapy. At the beginning of 2008, she began to have dialysis at a local hospital, as she has problems with her kidneys.At the moment, she cannot walk very well and is unable get about on her own.Now, she has become very ill and it is unlikely she will survive.

My Aunt and I are not very close, but this has come as a very big shock to me. J-Land's prayers have helped so many through their trials and tribulations. I ask you, please pray J-Land and keep Aunty Brenda in your thoughts at this time.Prayers and support will be greatly appreciated.

Saturday, 16 February 2008

I feel absolutely great because I finished all my assignments earlier in the week. This is a big achievement for me, because usually I leave things until the last minute. By doing a little each day, I have managed to complete it, with some free time to indulge in now.I hope this can carry on into the next school term.

Tonight I am staying in again, not by choice. I really wanted to go out and see my friends this weekend. But they are staying home to save money for their holiday. Typical isn’t it?I was looking forward to it too.

Ross sounded very annoyed when I spoke to him on the telephone earlier this afternoon.He asked me ‘Why didn’t I go out with the group any more?’ In fact, it’s only been three weeks. I’ve had a lot of coursework to finish also.

My education is very important to me. If I don’t work, I won’t be successful and I won’t have a good job. I wish they could understand. After all, it doesn’t matter if I miss a night or two. There will be plenty of other opportunities.

Joanasked me in a comment, ‘What did I think of “The Birds” movie?’I didn’t like it, and it wasn’t because of the gulls!I felt the movie had ended half finished.The storyline hadn’t come around full circle in my opinion. It felt as if there was more to come.

The Marc Almond concert was really good. Although, I didn’t know many of his songs, I enjoyed myself. I think he’s a good performer. One thing I found really irritating was his “theatrical” hand movements. My God, they must be his trademark, because he did the same moves all night. It looked like he was cleaning windows!

My mum and I sat four rows from the front of the stage, so we had a good view. He walked around the audience twice. At one point, he shook my hand, said “Hi” and smiled. My dear mum was swooning!

Monday, 11 February 2008

Well guys, its Half Term time again. This means students get a week’s break from school.I really love Half Term because I get the chance to relax and socialise with my friends a bit more.For the last few weeks, I haven’t been able to do that because I’ve been busy with schoolwork deadlines

I hope to finish my work at the start of the week.So, then that means I’ll have more free time and no worries on the weekend. It’s about time I was a little more organised!

My parents and I have booked our summer vacation for 2008.We’re going to Playa d’En Bossa in Ibiza for a second time.We are going for two weeks this year and also staying in a different resort.I cannot wait!

On Wednesday, my mum and I are going to another concert.This time we are going to see Marc Almond (Mum’s choice – cringe!).During the 1980’s, you may remember him as the lead singer of a band called Soft Cell. I don’t think he has had a particularly successful solo career. The only single I can remember of his is “Tainted Love”. However, I’m sure we’ll have a good nice out.

I appear to be having some problems with my laptop at the moment. A box pops up on my screen saying “Critical Battery”, although the laptop is plugged in to the main socket. Then without warning, the machine knocks itself off, and then it won’t come back on for ages. Then when it does, the same thing happens again.I don’t know what’s wrong.I hope nothing IS wrong because I’ve only had it for one year and six months! Can anybody help?

I know I have a desktop PC, and that’s working fine, but I love my laptop.Laptops are so frustrating at times, aren’t they?Have a great day.

Friday, 8 February 2008

I noticed in the comments of the previous entry, a few of you spoke of another Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds”. I have not seen it before.However, it is being broadcast on T.V tonight. So I think I shall watch, based on your recommendations.

I don’t think I’ve told anyone this, but I have a big phobia of birds. I don’t know why or where it stems from, but I hate the creatures!

When I was 15, I went on a trip with the Viva Project to a Bird Sanctuary.Why, you ask?I wanted to try to cure my phobia by facing my fear.Plus, I had just had a brand new digital camera for Christmas, and I thought it was be a good photo opportunity.

I was okay seeing them attached to their perches, or in their cages.I thought that maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. How wrong I was!

Lunchtime arrived. While the group were eating their food, I noticed four geese swaddle over nearby. Then, they began to circle me squawking quietly.They must’ve taking a fancy to my ham sandwiches!

I really didn’t know what to do. Geese can be vicious animals when they want to be.I stood there rooted to the spot.Then, I couldn’t stop myself… I screamed, and then cried. I was petrified!

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to go there after all. I thought it would help cure it, but all it’s done is make it worse. If I see a pigeon in the street, I shiver…

Do any readers have any phobias?If so, please share in the comments below.

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Looking back at my last entry, I think I was being a bit oversensitive.It really doesn’t bother me that my friends are going on holidays without me. I just needed to get it out of my system.I felt so much better once I had seen it written on the computer screen!

I watched a brilliant movie on I had recorded on Sunday evening: Psycho. It is said to be one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest thrillers. I had never seen it before, but I thought it was great. Forty-five years after its release, the movie sent shivers down my spine.People always say that the old films are best.

Ten minutes before the end however, the movie had stopped recording. My Nan and I were on tenterhooks.Then all of a sudden, the black and white picture had changed to an episode of “Coronation Street”.I was disappointed to learn that the programme on previously had over ran.Naturally, I really wanted to know the ending of the film.

Out of curiosity, I went on You Tube and I found a clip of the ending.Thank goodness for the Internet, it’s such a wonderful invention.You can just type anything into a search engine and up it pops. Marvellous!

Here are some film facts for you…Did you know that censors wanted to ban the word “transvestite” from the film? Also, after watching Psycho Janet Leigh was so traumatised she would never take a shower “unless she absolutely had to”?

Sunday, 3 February 2008

Wales won the first Six Nations rugby match yesterday against England at Twickenham. The final score was England – 19 Wales – 26.Go Wales!Do you think it is possible that Wales could win the Six Nations Tournament again? The last time we won all the matches was in 2005.

There was a great atmosphere at the party last night.However, I felt very isolated. My friends would like to go away on holiday together this summer to a holiday adventure park in Cornwall.

I was very disappointed to find that the possible accommodation had no disabled access and we would be miles out from anywhere.This was the only place that would allow 18-19 year olds to stay.Other places turned us away because they considered us to be ‘rowdy’.Maybe, that’s a sign they don’t want me there.

Also, my friends have invited people I don’t get along with.That would be a very awkward situation for me.I couldn’t go on holidays with people I didn’t like, and felt the same way about me.I mean, would you?

This is all they were talking about last night.They were really rubbing it in that I wouldn’t be able to go. I mean, it wouldn’t be practical for me.I would be exhausted at the end of it, and wouldn’t enjoy it at all. So much for the lovely week in Spain we were talking about.

They also said that if I couldn’t go, it wouldn’t feel right if they did.But why should I stop them from going away?At the end of the night, I kept wondering “Are these people really my friends?”, “Do they really care for me?”…I think it’s something I have to figure out by myself.

About Me

My name is Leigh. I am 19 years old. I live in South Wales in the U.K
with my parents and two pet cats. I suffer from a condition called
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy. However, I do not let this get me down. My motto
in life is you should "Never judge a book by it's cover". I also
believe that if you possess a positive attitude in life, you will
achieve great success.